Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO)

Cal LAFCO Bylaw Changes

• Staff reported that the Cal LAFCO Board will vote on bylaws clarifying that associate members are ineligible for board service.
• The Commission authorized the voting delegate to support the proposed bylaw changes.
• The motion to authorize the vote passed unanimously.

Land Use and Planning Conference

• The Executive Officer reported on the upcoming conference in Los Angeles, noting the sponsorship transition to Arizona State University.
• The Commission authorized commissioners to attend the event.
• Reimbursement for travel, lodging, and meals was pre-approved.

2026 Cal LAFCO Annual Conference

• Staff provided details on registration deadlines and current attendee counts for the Sacramento conference.
• The Executive Officer will serve as the voting delegate, with Commissioner Johnson as the alternate.
• The Cal LAFCO Board will meet during the conference to vote on the previously discussed bylaw changes.

Cal LAFCO Legislative Committee Meetings

• Staff reported that three bills were approved for presentation to the Cal LAFCO Board for sponsorship or support.
• The proposals address petition expiration dates, revenue tax waivers, and updates to principal acts.

Pending SB LAFCO Applications (New Submissions)

• Two new petition applications were announced for annexation into the Goleta Sanitation District.
• The South Patterson Road application is being amended to include a sphere of influence change and annexation into County Service Area 3.
• The Cathedral Oaks application seeks sewer connection for a single-family home.

Status of Pending SB LAFCO Applications

• Staff provided a status update on six pending applications across various stages of review.
• Two applications are on informational hold due to missing required documentation.
• The Commission granted a two-year extension to two applicants to finalize legal maps and record Certificates of Completion.

Santa Barbara Local Agency Formation Commission Meeting – October 1, 2026

Roll Call and Pledge of Allegiance

• The roll was called, and the record reflected that Commissioners Lee, Nelson, and Patino were absent. The Commission recited the Pledge of Allegiance.

Approval of Minutes

• The Commission considered the approval of the minutes from the September 3, 2026 meeting. A motion to approve was made and seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

Public Comment (General)

• One member of the public, Virginia Chang Karali, spoke regarding her candidacy for a two-year seat on the Cal LAFCO Board as a representative of the coastal region. She outlined her professional background, current roles on special district boards, and her work on Cal LAFCO committees. No other public comments were received.

Approval of Consent Calendar

• The Commission considered the consent calendar, which included the transaction report. A motion to approve the consent calendar was made and seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

Business Item 1: Cal LAFCO Bylaw Changes

• The Executive Officer reported that the Cal LAFCO Board is scheduled to vote on bylaw changes clarifying that associate members (such as private firms serving as executive officers or legal counsel) are ineligible to serve on the Cal LAFCO Board. The staff indicated an intention to vote in favor of the changes but sought direction from the Commission. After clarification regarding the definition of associate members, a motion was made and seconded to authorize the voting delegate to vote in favor of the bylaw changes. The motion passed unanimously.

Business Item 2: Land Use and Planning Conference

• The Executive Officer reported on the upcoming Land Use and Planning Conference scheduled for January 29, 2027, in Los Angeles. The report noted that the conference sponsorship has transitioned from UCLA Extension to Arizona State University. The recommendation was to authorize commissioners to attend and to pre-approve reimbursement for travel, lodging, and meals. A motion was made and seconded to authorize commissioner attendance and reimbursement. The motion passed unanimously.

Information Item 1: 2026 Cal LAFCO Annual Conference

• The Executive Officer provided a report on the 2026 Cal LAFCO Annual Conference in Sacramento (October 21–23, 2026). Key points included:
• Registration closes on October 9, 2026.
• Two commissioners and four staff members are currently registered.
• The Executive Officer will serve as the voting delegate, with Commissioner Johnson as the alternate.
• The Cal LAFCO Board will meet during the conference to vote on the bylaw changes discussed in Business Item 1.
• The 2027 calendar of events was provided for review.
• An announcement was made regarding updates to the Cal LAFCO website and the availability of a member hub.
• Public comment was received from Virginia Chang Karali, who noted that the keynote speaker is Senate Majority Leader Angelique Ashby. No motion was required for this informational item.

Information Item 2: Cal LAFCO Legislative Committee Meetings

• The Executive Officer reported on the Cal LAFCO Legislative Committee meetings held in August and September 2026. Three bills were approved for presentation to the Cal LAFCO Board for sponsorship or support: 1. Petition Expiration: A proposal to set a one-year expiration date for landowner petitions if required paperwork is not filed to move the application forward. 2. Revenue Tax 99 Waiver: A proposal to streamline the process for special districts that do not require a tax exchange agreement by allowing for an automatic waiver. 3. Principal Acts Update: A proposal to update outdated principal acts for special districts to acknowledge the Cortese-Enzi-Hertzberg Act regarding boundary changes.
• No motion was required for this informational item.

Information Item 3: Pending SB LAFCO Applications (New Submissions)

• The Executive Officer announced two new applications submitted by petition: 1. 600–620 South Patterson Road: Seeking annexation into the Goleta Sanitation District for sewer services. The application is being amended to concurrently include a sphere of influence change and annexation into County Service Area 3 (CSA 3). 2. 4960 Cathedral Oaks: A single-family home seeking annexation into the Goleta Sanitation District for sewer connection.
• No motion was required for this informational item.

Information Item 4: Status of Pending SB LAFCO Applications

• The Executive Officer provided a status update on six pending applications, categorized by their current stage in the process: 1. New Submissions (30-Day Review): The two applications mentioned in Information Item 3 (South Patterson Road and Cathedral Oaks) are pending evaluation of completeness. The South Patterson Road application is awaiting the amended submittal for CSA 3. 2. Informational Hold: The Goleta Sphere of Influence (SOI) and El Capitan Horse Ranch applications are missing required information. Staff have requested specific items, including the city’s resolution, CEQA determination, policy analysis, cost accounting agreements, and documentation regarding disadvantaged unincorporated communities. 3. Extension Granted: Two applications that were previously approved for annexation are pending the completion of final legal maps and exhibits. The Commission granted a two-year extension to these applicants to finalize the documents and record Certificates of Completion, preventing the applications from becoming null and void.
• Commissioner Kiriakou asked for confirmation that annexation into CSA 3 would subject the property to Measure L library contributions, which staff confirmed. No motion was required for this informational item.

Commissioner Announcements and Executive Officer Comments

• No commissioner announcements or requests for future agenda items were made. The Executive Officer had no further comments.

Adjournment

• The meeting was adjourned. The next meeting is scheduled for Thursday, November 5, 2026, at 1:00 p.m.